Cubs still scuffling along after 3-2 loss to Padres
Cubs manager Joe Maddon's watchwords for last season were "embrace the target."
The 2016 Cubs had little trouble with that, as they seemed to relish being the favorites to win it all on the way to a world championship.
It's been much more of a challenge this season, as illustrated in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the San Diego Padres, a game in which the Cubs managed just 2 hits. The go-ahead run scored on a bases-loaded walk issued by normally reliable reliever Koji Uehara in the eighth inning.
"Embrace the challenge" wasn't one of Maddon's slogans for this year, but he says he is embracing all of the ups and downs this season has brought.
The Cubs have had trouble getting over the hump, and with Wednesday's loss, their record fell to 36-35.
"I'm enjoying it in a perverse way," Maddon said. "Of course I'd rather we be 10 games up, but I'm good with what's going on right now because it is challenging. Every year presents differently. We've talked about that already. Right now there's been a lot of little micro stuff injury wise going on, nothing horrible but guys being banged up a little bit. And you're trying to situate a lot of youth, giving them more opportunity to play.
"Ian Happ, he's just showing up. (Albert) Almora is still trying to create his everyday chops here in the big leagues. (Kyle) Schwarber's been struggling. A lot of youth that you're trying to get really involved."
Happ was involved in a good way Wednesday. He hit a 2-run homer in the fourth inning to give the Cubs a 2-0 lead. Happ came up to the big leagues for the first time on May 13, and in 113 at-bats, he has 10 home runs.
With 10 homers in his first 34 games, Happ became the second-fastest Cubs player to reach that milestone since 1913. Bob Speake hit 10 homers in his first 32 games in 1955.
Like the rest of the Cubs' young players, Happ has endured his ups and downs.
"When you look at the numbers, you see it," he said. "It's hot, cold, hot. That's how baseball is. Hitting is difficult, and you're going to have your good weeks, your bad weeks. That's why it's all averages. At the end of the season, see what it all looks like."
Happ has the look of a hitter. His homer was a line shot to right-center off Padres reliever Craig Stammen. San Diego starter Miguel Diaz left the game in the third with a strained right forearm.
Maddon likes what he sees from Happ.
"The ball comes off the bat, man," Maddon said. "It's just different. You guys can probably see it from up top. It comes off hot and loud. I really, obviously, anticipate that to continue. As he gets more acquainted with the league, I think you'll see a higher batting average also."
Cubs starting pitcher Eddie Butler got his pitch count up to 90 and lasted just 4-plus innings, as he gave up 5 hits and 1 run. Brian Duensing allowed a game-tying homer to Erick Aybar in the sixth before veteran Uehara (2-4) created trouble for himself. He walked Luis Torrens to force in the go-ahead run in the eighth.
Last year, this was a game the Cubs likely would have won.
"It's a different method this year, and I think primarily, and I've talked about it from the beginning, it's the inexperience of a lot of the players that I'm really being aware of and how it plays on a daily basis," Maddon said. "The youthful mistake will show up, and you have to teach through it and hopefully, eventually, that would go away, whether it's an at-bat or a play on defense, whatever it may be. It is challenging, but I am kind of enjoying it."
Scouting report
Cubs vs. Miami Marlins at Marlins Park
TV: Comcast SportsNet Thursday and Sunday; WGN Friday; ABC 7 Saturday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Jake Arrieta (6-5) vs. Jeff Locke (0-2) Thursday at 6:10 p.m.; John Lackey (5-7) vs. Jose Urena (5-2) Friday at 6:10 p.m.; Jon Lester (4-4) vs. Justin Nicolino (0-1) Saturday at 3:10 p.m.; Mike Montgomery (1-3) vs. Edinson Volquez (3-8) Sunday at 12:10 p.m.
At a glance: The Cubs took two of three from the Marlins at Wrigley Field in early June. The Marlins are one of four also-ran teams in the NL East behind the Washington Nationals. Marcell Ozuna leads the team in almost every key offensive category. Entering Wednesday's game against the Nats, he had line of .330/.396/.592 with 19 homers and 52 RBI. He also had 88 hits. Former Cubs farmhand Justin Bour, who missed the series in Chicago because of injury, had 18 homers and 48 RBI. Giancarlo Stanton was at 18 homers and 46 RBI. Improved starting pitching of late and an overall solid bullpen had the Cubs up to third in the NL in ERA Wednesday (4.06). The Cubs are starting an 11-game road trip, part of a stretch of 17 of 20 away from Wrigley Field.
Next: Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Monday-Thursday
- Bruce Miles